“It was nice of your aunt and uncle to let us stay at their place while they're on vacation Trixie,” Carrot Top commented as she and the other mares brought their luggage into Trixie’s foalhood Neigh Orleans home.
“Yes and no,” Trixie admitted. “They don't stay around for Maredi Gras anyway. They always rent out the place and since they knew I'd be claiming this back as a work expense they charged me double.”
“Work expense?” Lyra asked in dismay. “We’re here because we were invited to celebrate Maredi Gras. How are you claiming this trip as a work expense?”
“Simple,” Trixie replied in a butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-her-mouth tone. “As the Ponyville representative I am here to rebuild good-will between Ponyville and Neigh Orleans, specifically the Zebrony community, after the strain on relations caused by a Zebrony terrorising the town.”
“You know Trixie,” Bon Bon commented. “I’d tell you to never use your powers for evil, but I’m pretty sure that ship has sailed.”
There was a knock at the door. The ponies opened it to reveal a peach coloured Zebrony with blood orange stripes and a lime green mane, wearing a outfit that looked like if a mariachi player went through a psychedelic phase.
“Hello ladies,” the Zebrony said with bow. “I am Zaca, Zelime sent me to pick you up and bring you to her store so that she could properly welcome you all to Neigh Orleans.”
“Well, let’s go,” Trixie said. “You’re all gonna love the Prench Quarter.”
“Indeed they will,” Zaca said. “Though your friends don’t plan on coming naked, do they?”
Raindrops blinked twice. “What?”
My little pony, My little pony
Ahh ahh ahh ahhh...
My little pony
Friendship never meant that much to me
My little pony
But you're all here and now I can see
Stormy weather; Lots to share
A musical bond; With love and care
Teaching laughter; It's an easy feat,
And magic makes it all complete!
You have my little ponies
How'd I ever make so many true friends?
After shopping for some outfits for the usually nude ponies, Zaca led the way for Trixie and her friends.
“It’s so great you could all come to Mare-de Gras. We zebronies know how to throw a party and it’s an honour to have heroes like you join in on the celebration.” The stallion paused when he did a mental headcount. “Though I thought there were six Elements of Harmony.”
“There are,” Trixie replied. “It's still a school week in the rest of Equestria so Cheerilee and Ditzy Doo couldn’t make it.”
“Fair enough, still it’s great the rest of you could make it.”
Raindrops looked around at all the equines entering and leaving the clothes shops. “So what's with all the clothes you guys wear anyway? I mean I know there is a big fashion scene here but most ponies just seem happy with a fancy hat and saddle.”
Zaca pridefully buffed his hoof on his jacket. “Self expression and individuality is very important to us zebronies. Unique clothing is one of many ways we shout our pride to the world. But mostly it’s for the pockets.”
“Pockets?” asked Bonbon.
Zaca pulled open one side of his jacket to display the inner liner, which seemed to be made entirely of little pockets. He reached in one and pulled out a dried daisy. “All voodoo spells require a physical component, which is different for each spell and sometimes for each zebrony. Therefore pockets to hold such items are necessary for our magic to function. Especially if you use it to make a living like I do.”
“Oh? What do you do for work Zaca?” Lyra asked with interest.
“I own a bar, “ Zaca replied as he held out a business card.
Cousin Zaca’s
Voodoo Bar
Come make some friends on the other side.
“Voodoo Bar?” Raindrops asked.
“Yep,” Zaca said proudly. “Voodoo cocktails are my specialty.”
“Voodoo Cocktails?” Carrot Top asked, a little uncertainly.
Zaca took a cup out of his hat and produced several small bottles. He poured in a few liquids and added some herbs. He swirled it a couple of times before holding out the cup to the carrot farmer. She took a sniff and when nothing was offensive she took a sip.
“Hmm… tangy,” she commented. She glanced up and noticed her mane was turning purple. “What the…?”
“That's why it's called a Voodoo cocktail,” Zaca said smugly. “Don't worry, the effects are temporary. Still fun at parties though. Here we are.”
The group soon found themselves standing in front of a rather unassuming storefront whose sign read "Matant Zelime's House of Wonders".
“This is the home of the great and spooky witch queen?” Raindrops asked skeptically. “Somehow I was expecting more.”
“Well, building a dark foreboding tower in the middle of downtown would probably violate city ordinances, don't you think?” quipped Lyra with a smirk. “Besides I'll bet it's stuffed with all kinds of ancient powerful voodoo relics and stuff.”
Zaca covered a chuckle with a quick cough and in true gentle-colt fashion, held the door open for the mares to enter.
The group found the inside of the shop to be a bit cramped, considering it already seemed to be fit to bursting with so many crates and boxes along with the half a dozen zebronies stacking, cataloging, and somehow bringing in even more. Still, strange decorations and trinkets were strewn all over the place. Shelves were filled with various bottles and other random bits-and-bobs. Some objects were less foal-friendly than others.
“Is that a pony skull?” Bonbon asked.
“Donkey,” Trixie replied.
“I can hardly believe you even remembered that after all this time.”
Trixie turned to see an elderly Zebrony mare, her coat lavender with dark purple stripes and a gray mane. She wore a myriad of bright scarves, shawls, and sashes in a colorful gypsy style. Her eyes glinted with amusement and fondness in equal measure.
“Zelime!” Trixie exclaimed as she raced in to give the lavender zebrony a big hug.
“It’s good to see you, child,” Zelime said. “I’m so glad you and your friends were able to accept my invitation. Sorry about the mess. There's just still so much to do for Maredi Gras that I asked some of my old students to help out. Come back into the parlor, I've just finished preparing tea.”
Zelime led the mares to a table in the back room, that held tea ready to be served and various nibbles. Zelime and Trixie spent a few minutes catching up and trading gossip before the other girls chimed in.
“So is all that stuff in the shop for Voodoo?” Carrot Top asked.
“Most of it,” Zelime replied. “Some of it just helps with the décor, the boxes are supplies for the festival.”
“So what exactly is Voodoo all about anyway?” Lyra asked.
“That is an interesting question,” Zelime replied. “I’ll give you an answer to that if you can tell me what exactly unicorn magic is all about.”
Lyra immediately opened her mouth to answer before then slowly closing it again. She was educated in magic almost as much as in music but she realized that to give even the briefest of cursory explanations would require an hour long lecture with references to several text books.
“Sorry, I just realized how ignorant that question must have sounded." Lyra said before admitting, "Before Galeb came to town I thought it was all fake, but I saw his voodoo in action so I know it's real magic. I've been trying to do some research but I haven't found anything in our local library.”
“It isn’t the worst opening question I have ever been asked,” Zelime answered kindly. “I'm not surprised you didn't find much, honestly there isn't much voodoo outside of Neigh Orleans. Though the question shouldn’t be what is Voodoo about, but rather, what purpose is it serving?”
“What purpose is that?” Carrot Top asked.
“Freedom,” The Queen answered. “Freedom to find and harness your destiny, to shape the world around you. Though the same could be said of all forms of magic, I suppose.”
“Yeah, but most of the magics I've seen on display all seem fairly direct about what it is they do,” Lyra commented. “And Voodoo… isn’t.”
“That is fair I suppose. Let me put it this way, if unicorns use their spells to impose their will on the universe around them, then zebronies use voodoo to trick the universe into doing what we want it to. When you look at our history, the direction Voodoo went in starts making more sense.”
“What do you mean?” Bon Bon asked.
“You have to remember that while we consider ourselves a culturally unique people, we zebronies are still hybrids of ponies and zebras. And whenever you mix different bloodlines you get complications, like how most mules are sterile. In our case, while we have just as much magic in us as ponies do, we lack a natural way to express it. Unlike basic unicorn spells, pegasi flight or earth pony endurance, all of which can be learned just by living life, no zebrony can learn voodoo without instruction, so over 500 years ago our ancestors had to invent a more … sideways solution to gain use of our magic. It took almost a century of cribbing notes from every magical tradition we encountered before we figured it out. Thank the spirits that Neigh Orleans is such a crossroads of the various creatures of the world or we might have never gotten it right. Really, it was the first Queen and her Graven Court of madcaps that finally made voodoo work. Since then Zebronies have followed their example as a model, all while always working to find new ways of teasing out the magic from our very beings.”
Bonbon was still curious about something. “So if voodoo is real magic, then why does it seem like you guys just use elaborate smoke and mirrors half the time?”
“Part of it is cultural.” Zelime's tone went from conversational to wicked. “And part of it is to bilk the gullible and keep everyone guessing about what we can really do.”
The conversation ground to a halt when a young zebrony mare walked in, her coat jade green with dark emerald stripes, a wine colored mane, a tail that was short but not quite bobbed and smiling golden eyes. She was wearing cut off denim shorts, a black-and-gold paisley vest, a plum-coloured beret and laced leather bands on her forelegs. Around her neck was a double looped necklace of crystals, all different cuts and colors, centered by a dark wooden ring with a singular large opalescent crystal hanging inside.
“I’ve finished the paper for the will-o-wish booth,” Simbi announced as she patted the stack of paper.
“Will-o-wish?” Lyra asked.
“Oui, they’re a real hit with young ones,” Zelime explained. “You write your wish on a piece of paper, fold it half, then lick it and throw it.” She took a piece from the top of pile and gave it to the unicorn. “Try it.”
Curious to see what would happen, Lyra took the paper and a nearby quill, wrote something on it, folded it in half and licked it. As she threw it, the paper burst into blue flames. The azure glow lingered in the air for a moment before vanishing.
“Whoa!” Lyra exclaimed. “That’s so cool.”
“It's always a hit,” Zelime agreed. “We're having some tea Simbi, care to join us?”
“Sure,” Simbi replied, taking a seat and pouring herself some tea.
“Simbi here is my latest student,” Zelime explained. “She’s been training with me for a few years now.”
“Latest and greatest,” Simbi said with a confident smirk.
“That certainly is a healthy ego you have there,” Trixie commented, seemingly unaware of any potential irony.
Bon Bon raised an eyebrow. “Are you really going to comment on someone else’s ego?”
“Hey, I never said it was a bad thing.”
“So are you really the Voodoo Queen?” Raindrops asked Zelime.
“No, she's actually the Dairy Queen,” Simbi smirked. “You're looking for the store two doors down on the left.”
“Be nice Simbi,” Zelime warned her apprentice in a light scolding before turning her attention back to Raindrops. “Yes I am, dear.”
“Oh. You're just not really what I expected, I guess.”
“You mean that I’m not living in a swamp and spouting some mumbo jumbo at you?” Zelime asked, mirth evident in her voice.
“Kinda,” Raindrops admitted reluctantly. “No offense.”
“None taken. I know that stereotype is a mainstay outside of Neigh Orleans,” Zelime replied good-naturedly. “If you were after that version of Voodoo I’d suggest you check out Granny Bao down the way in Catfish Bayou.”
“Really?” Carrot Top asked. “She any good?”
“She’s...acceptable,” Zelime said diplomatically. “She makes most of her money providing tourists with the ‘genuine voodoo experience’ they expect to find.”
“So how about the whole ‘putting hexes on those who wrong you’ thing?” Raindrops asked.
"Done on occasion but most of the time poison works just as well,” Zelime smiled mischievously. “More tea?”
Raindrops stared at her empty cup, seemingly weighing her options. “...Yes please.”
“So what exactly does a Voodoo Queen do?” Bon Bon asked.
“Whatever needs to be done for the good of my community,” Zelime said ominously. “Mostly I act as a sort of familial matriarch to the Zebrony population and serve as a living directory for the Voodoo tradition. Zebronies, ponies and otherwise all come to me with their problems, I either help them myself or point them in the direction of someone better suited.”
“Sounds likes a lot of work,” Carrot Top commented.
“One could say the same about being the saviours of Equestria,” Zelime replied. “It tends to happen when you get a calling. Still, I have no complaints.”
“You didn’t have anything nice to say about those two unicorns from Detrot that called this place a novelty store,” Simbi answered.
“I simply expressed that if they thought that Granny Bao’s was more to their tastes on what they wanted out of Voodoo then they’d be better off going to her.”
“You also omitted the fact that there was a ferry and made them find her shack on hoof.”
“The bayou is so lovely that it really must be experienced up close,” Zelime answered serenely before taking another sip of her tea. “Say Simbi, would you mind taking Trixie and her friends on a tour of the Prench quarter? I’m sure they would appreciate a guide.”
“Sure, I’m done with my tasks so I can show them the sights,” Simbi answered eagerly.
As everypony else finished up their tea and started to leave, Trixie turned to Zelime.
“May I ask why you think we need a guide when I still know this town like the back of my hoof?”
“You’re certainly free to ask,” Zelime replied succinctly as she took another sip.
Trixie waited a beat. “But that doesn’t mean you’re gonna answer, huh?”
“Ah, you’re learning.” She gave Trixie a cheeky grin.
Simbi led the gang out of Zelime’s shop, the fading echo of the voodoo queen's laughter following them out the door.
“So the Bazaar should be in full swing right now. I figure we could start there and work our way out. Sound good?”
There were several nods of agreement. Lyra and Bon Bon would have voiced their agreement but paused briefly when they saw a cow wearing a crown in a store two doors down from Zelime’s store.
“Good Moo-orning,” she said cheerfully as she held out a tray with ice cream on it. “Can I interest you in a free sample?”
“Ladies!” Simbi declared dramatically, “Welcome to the Voodoo Bazaar!”
The Voodoo Bazaar was a large open air marketplace. Dozens of colorful stalls packed the place as mainly Zebronies with the occasional non-zebrony hawked all sorts of wares to customers and tourists. There were stalls with food, stalls with bottles and jars filled with various mystery concoctions, stalls with bright clothing and draping fabrics. There were also some with various odds and ends, ranging from fairly mundane to the head-tiltingly bizarre. The whole place was abuzz with bright dazzling sights, interesting smells and naturally, the sounds of dozens of deals being made.
“Well, hello there ladies,” A periwinkle, azure and lilac Zebrony mare said cheerfully. “Might I interest you in some mood cloth?”
“Mood cloth?” Raindrops asked.
“It’s fabric that changes colour depending on the mood you are in,” The vendor explained. “Let me show you.”
The vendor took a scarf of beige fabric and wrapped it around the pegasus’s neck.
“Now think of a clear, sunny day.”
Raindrops did as instructed and then a moment later the scarf changed to a light blue color.
“Now think of a rainy day.”
The scarf shifted immediately into a vibrant yellow.
“That’s incredible,” Bon Bon exclaimed.
“It is,” the seller agreed. “Though I've never seen such a happy response from thinking of a rainy day before.”
“Don’t weather shame me,” Raindrops replied while taking off the scarf.
“Let me try,” Bon Bon said. Once she wrapped the scarf around her neck the colour changed into a dark rich purple.
“Oh my,” the seller said with a light blush. “What are you thinking of?”
“Oh, you know,” Bon Bon replied with a less-than-subtle sideways glance towards Lyra. “The usual.”
Carrot Top was looking awestruck at everything.
“This definitely isn’t like the Ponyville market,” She muttered, before a nearby table caught her attention. “No way!”
She raced over to a stall of potions.
“You stock uncoagulated Humming Song Serum?!”
“Indeed I do,” the stall owner replied, mildly surprised at such an intense reaction.
“What’s Humming Song Serum?” Trixie asked.
“It's mainly used to help pregnant equines with morning sickness.”
Trixie paused and looked her friend over suspiciously. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”
“No, nothing like that, it’s just really hard to make without it ending up coagulating in the bottle,” she explained. “It takes serious skill and know-how to do so consistently.”
“Finally, a pony who appreciates my talents!” The stall owner exclaimed as he gave Carrot Top one of the bottles. “On the house.”
“Thank you so much,” Carrot Top said, excitedly but carefully storing the potion in her bags.
As the two mares walked away, Trixie's tones went low. “So what are you going to do with morning sickness aid?”
“It also works for general nausea and I didn’t want to be rude--” Carrot Top began replying before another distraction broke her concentration again. “--No way! Is that Tripnup Powder?!”
As Carrot Top raced off, Trixie was joined by Simbi.
“Is she always this excitable?” Simbi asked.
“Not usually,” Trixie admitted. “But I’m glad she’s enjoying herself. I don't think she traveled much before we all met.”
When Trixie got no response, she turned to see that Simbi had disappeared.
“What the…?”
Any further questioning was completely derailed when moments later a pegasus came flying in and tackled Trixie.
“GOTCHA!” The pegasus crowed triumphantly before taking a closer look at the unicorn she was holding. “Hey! You’re not Simbi.”
“I’m a blue unicorn wearing a hat and cape,” Trixie said flatly. “How exactly could you mistake me for Simbi?”
“How am I supposed to tell you're a unicorn if you’re wearing a hat?”
“THAT DOESN'T INVALIDATE MY QUESTION!!”
“No need to act snippy about it,” the pegasus replied with a snort as she let go of Trixie. “I was sure she was standing the...oof!”
The flighty pegasus was pulled into a ninja hug by Simbi.
“Nice try Crystal,” Simbi said, grin growing wider. “The score’s now 42 to 34.”
“Aw phooey,” the apparently-named Crystal said with a pout.
Trixie raised an eyebrow. “You’re playing stealth hug?”
“You know it?” Simbi asked in surprise.
“I’ve dabbled.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot you had had a game going with Pinkie,” Lyra said. “What ever happened to that?”
“The match got called when Pinkie’s lead went into the triple digits,” Raindrops unexpectedly answered instead, before noticing everyone staring at her. “...What? The weather team had a betting pool going.”
“Everyone, this is my sister Crystal,” Simbi announced.
“Your sister?” Lyra asked.
“Well duh,” Crystal said as she smooshed her face against Simbi’s. “Can’t you see the family resemblance?”
Lyra looked between the green-furred, burgundy-maned, golden-eyed zebrony and the bright pink, blonde, blue-eyed pegasus.
“Er…no?”
“I’m just messing with you,” Crystal replied. “We’re actually step sisters but that doesn’t stop Simbi from being the bestest sister in the whole wide world.”
“I love you too sis,” Simbi replied with only slightly exasperated affection. “Crystal, this is Trixie Lulamoon and her friends.”
“It’s really nice to meet you--” Crystal suddenly gasped loudly. “--IS THAT CARROT TOP?!”
“Er...Yes?” Carrot Top wasn't sure if she wanted to invite too much attention to herself by saying so.
“Element of Generosity? Hero of Ponyville? Saviour of Equestria?”
“That is...technically correct.”
Crystal let out a joyful squeal and started to vigorously shake Carrot Top's hoof. “I am such a huge fan!”
“You... are?”
“A carrot farmer turned evil-smiting badass. How could I not be?” Crystal replied rhetorically.
“Um...I’ve never smited anyone,” Carrot Top said cautiously.
“Oh, I’ve got so many questions,” Crystal pushed on excitedly. “Is it true you once uppercut a hydra?”
“No.”
“Did you sucker punch a manticore?”
“No.”
“Beat a minotaur alpha at hoof wrestling?”
“No.”
“Give a chimera a wet willy?”
“Once,” Carrot Top admitted, then noticed the strange looks her friends were giving her. “What? You guys don’t hold the monopoly on the craziest stuff I’ve done in my life.”
“Only most of it,” Bon Bon replied.
“True,” Carrot Top admitted.
The gang continued their tour of the Prench quarter, marveling at all the sights and sounds as Zebronies of all colours and fashion were moving about.
Crystal meanwhile was pestering Carrot Top with more and more questions about her exploits. Though it was becoming more and more clear that tales of Carrot Top’s exploits had been sorely exaggerated.
“Is it true you once beat a cockatrice in a staring contest?”
“Nope.”
“Five-time winner of the Running of the Leaves?”
“Came in fifth one year.”
“Cleared a field in 10 seconds flat?”
“My current record is a minute, 39 seconds.”
“So what exactly were you doing with your life before becoming the element of generosity?”
“Trying to stop the farm I inherited from foreclosing,” The orange mare replied bluntly.
“So you’re telling me you were just some random farmer in Ponyville?” Crystal asked.
“Pretty much,” Carrot Top replied. “Sorry if that’s a disappointment.”
“Are you kidding?” Crystal exclaimed. “You were just a normal carrot farmer but yet when the time came you still stepped up and helped save all of Equestria. You are even cooler than I thought you were!”
At that Carrot Top went slightly misty-eyed as she pulled Crystal in for a hug. “You are definitely my favourite part of Neigh Orleans.”
“She’s hugging me, Carrot Top is actually hugging me!” Crystal squealed in fangirlish awe, then let out a gasp. “You’ve got to come to our party tonight.”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re holding a party at my place to help kick off Maredi Gras. It would be so awesome if you and your friends came.”
Carrot Top gave her friends a pleading look. When they nodded in return she answered affirmatively. “We’d love to attend.”
“Awesome!” Crystal exclaimed, she then noticed a nearby clock tower. “Shoot, look at the time. I’ve got to go make the final preparations. See you tonight.”
She then flew off, barely acknowledging the other elements. After a moment of silence Simbi spoke.
“So yeah, that’s Crystal.”
“She’s very nice,” Trixie said. “And one can’t fault her taste in heroes.”
“No, you really can’t,” Carrot Top said, her chest puffed up as she started to saunter off, her head held high.
“You’re being exceptionally sporting about simply being known as the friend of Carrot Top,” Raindrops said in a tone straddling the fence between amused and suspicious.
“Begrudging Carrot Top a fan would be low even for me,” Trixie said. “Besides, the great and powerful Trixie can also be magnanimous when the time calls for it.”
“Magnanimous?” Raindrops snorted. “Good to see that word-a-day calendar Cheerilee got you for Hearth's Warming is getting use.”
“It was a mild perturbation when I first received it,” Trixie admitted. “Though I've found it to be quite serendipitous on occasion.”
“Now you’re just showing off.”
After the Bazaar Simbi took the girls out onto the famous Bourbon Street. This was the wildly beating heart of the Prench District. The street was thick with locals and tourists alike. Every twenty paces or so there was a street performer or busker with a hat in front of them. Everything from musicians to jugglers to a stallion painted a full body metallic silver to look like a statue, who stood perfectly still until somepony got near.
It seemed that every storefront on either side was some kind of brightly advertised eatery or pub, each one catering to a different niche taste. Apparently one could find foods and sweets from all over the world on this one street, all with that classic Neigh Orleans twist. The cornucopia of delectable scents hit them like wagon of baked goods, leaving Bonbon sighing in delight.
And the music, oh the music! Every restaurant and club seemed to have its own live musical entertainment in full swing. Many were playing classic dixieland jazz but everything from crystal core to camel sitar to griffin balalaika could be found. Rather than being a cacophony, it all blended into a pulsing, pleasing melody like the crashing surf of the sea. Lyra was practically vibrating by this point, wanting to listen to everything at once.
Lyra and Bonbon turned to one another and said in perfect union, “We’re living here now.”
Simbi chuckled at that, “Sorry girls but there's a 3-year waiting list.”
They all spent the next few hours wandering around, sampling whatever took their fancy. Eventually their guide pulled them over to a side street that seemed to be packed with foals crowding a booth window opening from a storefront.
“Oh, Popcorn’s got one of his shadow puppet shows on,” Simbi commented, looking on for a moment. “Oh! I love this one.”
“What’s it about?” Carrot Top asked.
“That time you made a whole army of yourself to take down a giant timber wolf.”
“Wait, what?”
“Shhh!”
True to Simbi’s word, the group watched as a timber wolf appeared on the stage, only to for an army of Carrot Tops to appear and stop it.
Once the show was over and the foals had cleared out, an elderly Zebrony stallion in a yellow-and-brown zebrican pattern cloak stepped out.
“Great show as always, Popcorn,” Simbi said with respect as she approached the middle-aged zebrony stallion.
Popcorn let out a hearty chuckle as he gave Simbi a hug. “So good to see you haven’t outgrown my stories.” He then noticed other mares. “As I live and breathe, Trixie Lulamoon and the Elements of Harmony.”
“Thank you for a wonderful show,” Carrot Top said shyly. “Though, I am curious, where did you hear about the time an army of mes helped take down a giant timber wolf?”
“You mean that actually happened?” Simbi asked, clearly a little star-struck.
“Well...Not quite the way Popcorn tells it.”
“I’ll admit I do add my own flourish to any tale I tell,” Popcorn said. “As for where I first heard about it, well mainly through the grapevine.”
Trixie then felt several sets of eyes turn on her, waiting.
“I may have sent a few letters of our exploits back to the family … often,” the magician admitted.
Raindrops stared at Trixie with a raised eyebrow.
“And a few of my cousins may be massive gossips...and I may have exaggerated a few details for dramatic effect…but I REGRET NOTHING!”
Raindrops could only roll her eyes at Trixie's usual antics.
“Your exploits have certainly given Nancy and I plenty of new material,” Popcorn agreed warmly with a hearty chuckle.
“Nancy?”
At that a large spider suddenly appeared on Popcorn’s shoulder.
“My story telling assistant,” Popcorn said proudly.
The spider jumped off Popcorn’s shoulder and landed on Raindrops.
“Nancy! No!” Popcorn’s scolding tone turned pleading. “Please don’t worry about her, she’s overly friendly but perfectly harmless.”
“I know,” Raindrops replied, stretching out a wing to give Nancy a larger surface to scurry on. “She’s a Zebrican Dream Spider, isn’t she?”
“Yes she is,” Popcorn said, clearly impressed. “You certainly know your spiders.”
“Well, she’s number 4 on my younger brother’s ongoing birthday/Hearth's Warming wishlist so I figured it would pay to read up on them,” the pegasus replied as she held out her wing for Nancy to return to Popcorn.
“Your brother seems like a pony worth knowing,” Popcorn said.
“If only more thought like you,” Raindrops responded, a little wistfully.
“I’ve got say I’m glad I decided to come along for this,” Bon Bon commented after they bid farewell to Popcorn. “This is shaping up to be an interesting little adventure.”
“To be fair, most of our adventures could be called interesting,” Lyra commented. “Though usually more in a 'trying to not get maimed or killed' sort of way.”
“Give it time, the trip’s only just begun, after all.” Raindrops said wryly. She then noticed Trixie glaring at her. “What?”
“Can you please not tempt fate during our vacation?” The magician asked almost pleadingly. “All I want is a nice holiday in my hometown with no major calamity to deal with.”
“Isn’t that tempting fate in and of itself, though?” Lyra asked.
Trixie facehoofed as the realisation dawned on her.
“I’m starting to think I bring these things upon myself.”
Raindrops replied with a shrug. “I'd say that's true only about two thirds of the time.”
Author's Note
Hi everyone. Welcome to our latest in addition to the Lunavese. Special thanks to my co-creator dmgtitan for all his help in creating this. This is set in season 2 of the Lunaverse. Hope you enjoy the ride
They Can't Take That Away From Me
The sun was starting to set. The gang had gone shopping to dress up for Crystal’s party and were now heading towards a large estate. Every pony had taken the time to dress up for the event.
Raindrops was dressed as a Barbarian Queen, complete with horned helmet. Trixie had kept her hat but had traded her cape for a Las Pegasus style magician outfit that was bright purple and covered in bright red stars. Bon Bon was in an old fashioned tuxedo, Lyra was in a yellow ball gown but for fun Lyra was wearing a top hat and Bon Bon was wearing a bonnet. Carrot top meanwhile had gone the extra mile with her outfit. She was wearing a green sequined dress with a silver sash the wove around her waist and then crossed over each shoulder. Her mane was done in a wavy cascade to match the dress.
Bon Bon let out a whistle as she looked at the outfit the carrot farmer was wearing. “Looking good Carrot Top.”
“You think so?” Carrot Top asked as she gave a twirl. “At first I thought it was too much but then is there anything wrong with wanting to look good for one’s fan?”
Trixie looked at Carrot Top with a raised eyebrow. “As wonderful as it is seeing you enjoying having a fan, you’re not going to go full Diva on us are you?”
Carrot Top raised an eyebrow of her own.
“You do realise how weird that sounds coming from you?”
Trixie shrugged. “I just don’t want you clashing with my thing. But no, nothing wrong with looking good for fans.”
They arrived at the gate. A couple of security guards were there checking guests off a list before letting them in.
“Name?” The guard with the list asked.
“Dame Trixie Lulamoon and Guests,” Trixie answered.
The guard checked the list
“Nope, not on the list.”
“Not on the list?” Trixie asked in dismay. “We were personally invited to this event by Crystal.”
The Guard wore an expression that showed it clearly wasn’t the first time he had heard that line.
“If that were true, you'd be on the list.”
“Let me try,” Carrot Top stepped up. “Dame Carrot Top and Guests.”
The Guard double checked the list and then stepped aside. “Right on through Ma’am.”
Carrot Top led the way with her head held high.
“Still feeling magnanimous?” Raindrops asked Trixie.
“Marginally less so,” Trixie admitted with pursed lips.
Once past the guard and through the gates they saw Simbi waiting for them on the front porch.
“Glad you all made it,” she said. “Did you have any trouble finding the place?”
Trixie paused as she looked up at the house. Mansion was probably more accurate considering if it was any bigger she could have probably seen it all the way from her family home.
“It was fairly easy to find,” Trixie said diplomatically. “Your father wouldn’t happen to be Big Daddy McCandles?”
“Step Father,” Simbi corrected. “But yes.”
“Who’s Big Daddy?” Lyra asked.
“One of the biggest stallions in all of Neigh Orleans,” Trixie answered.
“Do you mean wealth, influence or size?” Bon Bon inquired.
“Yes,” Trixie replied. “He is a lighting magnate. His family started in the candle trade but Big Daddy turned the business into an empire. His company built all the gas lamps you see in town.” Trixie sidled up next to Carrot Top. “I would never advocate marrying for money but if Crystal offers you her hoof in marriage, seriously consider it.”
Carrot Top rolled her eyes. “Forget it. Not only does that go against my principles, by you suggesting it, the size of the Trixie Whining Fund to offset it would be astronomical.”
Trixie raised her nose in mock indignation. “Nothing wrong with asking for a healthy finder's fee.”
“I know I should be concerned about the talk of marrying my sister for her money but honestly I’m more curious about this ‘Trixie Whining Fund’,” Simbi commented.
“It’s a long story,” Lyra said. “And don’t worry about Trixie, she makes jokes but she would never try to marry somepony for their money.”
“Mainly cause you couldn’t pay her a million bits to consummate the marriage,” Bon Bon muttered before she got a light shove from Lyra. “What? You know it’s true.”
Once they entered they were greeted by a large, heavy set earth stallion in a fancy suit. Beside him was a Zebrony mare in a seafoam green dress and a multicolored shawl covered in exotic patterns.
“Welcome to our little get-together,” The cream-coloured stallion said. “I am Big Daddy McCandles and this gorgeous mare is my wife, Makaya McCandles.”
“Do you have to introduce me like that to every guest?” Makaya asked.
“I’ll stop doing it when it stops being true, which means yes, I will introduce you to every guest,” Big Daddy replied, giving his wife a quick peck on her pale green cheek. “We’re so glad you could make it to our celebration.”
“Thank you for having us,” Carrot Top replied.
“The pleasure is all ours,” Makaya replied. “When Crystal said she had invited Carrot Top and other elements of harmony we could hardly believe it.”
“We would so love to chat but we’d better make sure the other guests feel properly welcome,” Big Daddy said. “Simibi, could you please take them to go see Crystal, no doubt she’d want to welcome them personally.”
“Yes sir,” Simibi replied with a neutral smile.
A brief grimace appeared on Big Daddy’s face but it quickly disappeared behind a smile.
“Hope you all have a wonderful time.”
The group stepped out into the courtyard where the party was being held. Everything was in full swing.
Carrot Top suddenly found herself glomped by Crystal.
“You made it!” The pegasus said excitedly. “Come on, you must meet everyone.”
Everyone watched as Crystal dragged away Carrot Top.
“Alright, so what did you all want to do?”
Trixie turned to see that everyone except Simbi was gone.
“Right so I think everyone took Crystal dragging off your friend as a sign to go off and do their own thing,” Simbi explained. “And unless you want me to show your round some more, the dance floor beacons.
“That’s fine, go enjoy yourself,” Trixie replied.
“Thanks, I plan to.”
Carrot Top let herself be led around and introduced to many of the guests at the event. At first, it was younger ponies, closer to Crystal’s age, but eventually they started talking to the older guests as well
“Hello there Captain Mustard.”
“That’s Colonel Mustard,” The stuffy stallion replied in an icy tone. He wore a well preserved old campaigner’s uniform, complete with a well stuffed rucksack with a knotted length of rope hanging out of it.
“Oh lighten up Dijon,” Said an elderly but regal looking mare in an elaborate blue ball gown.
“It’s easy for you to say Mrs Peacock,” Colonel Mustard said. “You’re not the one who’s having their military service trivialised.”
“It’s not possible to make it any more trivial than it actually was!”
As the two older ponies started arguing, Crystal and Carrot started to subtly back away when the increasingly irate mare banged a hoof on a table perilously close to a tray of carving knives.
“I see those two wasted no time in going at it.”
Carrot Top and Crystal turned to see a well dressed but slightly older stallion standing there.
“Mr Wicks!” Crystal exclaimed. “So glad you could make it.”
“Well your father always makes a point of personally inviting me to these things, it would be rude not to at least make an appearance,” The stallion replied. “Though I believe a Miss Scarlett was looking for you.”
Crystal rolled her eyes.
“She probably wants to complain about the candlesticks I used,” she turned to Carrot Top. “I better go see what it’s about. You go enjoy yourself and we’ll catch up later.”
“Definitely.”
Crystal flew off.
“That mare is a host without equal,” Mr Wicks commented.
“So how do you know Big Daddy?” Carrot Top asked.
“Mr McCandles and I work in similar fields.,” Mr Wicks replied. “I think I’m going to try out some of that punch. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You too,” Carrot Top replied.
Raindrops saw a Zebrony stallion being flanked by security. She then saw that Mayaka was there as well.
“You can not stop me from seeing her,” the stallion snarled.
“When are you going to get it through your thick skull that she doesn’t want to see you,” Mayaka replied. “Stay away from my family or we’ll start pressing charges!” She turned to security. “Take him away.”
“So who was that?” Raindrops asked as she watched security drag off the Zebrony.
“Just a party crasher who couldn’t take a hint,” Mayaka replied dismissively. “Tell me, have you tried a Neigh Orleans Beignet yet?”
Raindrops could see the obvious attempt to change the subject but she decided to not press the matter.
“I don’t believe that I have.”
“Now that is a travesty I can not allow to remain uncorrected.”
She proceeded to lead Raindrops to the buffet table.
Lyra and Bon Bon had naturally been drawn to the live band. While at first they had been more interested in the music but soon their attention shifted to the dance floor. In the center was Simbi.
To say she was dancing felt like an understatement. It felt more appropriate to say she was owning the dance floor. She moved with a grace and freedom of movement that was unparalleled. All the other dancers on the floor made sure to allow Simbi space to move.
Finally Simbi seemed to get tired and left the dance floor. She turned to Lyra and Bon Bon. With a cheeky wink she said, “Like what you see?”
“You’ve got some good moves,” Bon Bon commented.
“So nice of you to say. Though if you like, I could show you a few of my more private moves sometimes,” Simbi said with a suggestive eyebrow wiggle.
“That...is nice of you to offer,” Bon Bon said diplomatically. “But I’m already in a relationship.”
“Yes she is,” Lyra said as she possessively put a foreleg over her partner.
Taking this completely in her stride, Simbi sidled up next to Lyra put a foreleg over her.
“Well you know what they say,” Simbi replied. “Two’s company, three’s a party.”
Both Ponyville mares stared blankly at the Zebrony.
“Are...are you serious?”
Simbi let out a lighthearted chuckle as she removed her foreleg.
“You two are adorable. Enjoy your night.”
Lyra and Bon Bon watched Simbi walk off. Once she was gone they turned to each other.
“You know she technically didn’t answer the question,” Bon Bon commented.
“Yeah but what answer are we hoping for?” Lyra asked.
The two mares stood there in awkward silence. Lyra finally spoke up.
“Shall we go get some punch?”
“Yes let’s,” Bon Bon quickly replied.
Trixie stopped at the bar and ordered a bourbon. She was taking out some bits to pay for it as Big Daddy approached.
“No no, your money’s no good here,” Big Daddy said as he pulled out some bits of his own. “Buying a round is the least I can do for someone who helped save all of Equestria.”
Trixie put away her bits and levitated the glass.
“Thank you kindly Big Daddy,” The mare raised her glass in a toast. “You truly are a stallion without equal.”
“Now easy with that sweet talk little lady,” Big Daddy replied with a laugh. “I’m a married stallion.”
Trixie gave a good nature eye roll.
“So what’s this party celebrating?” Trixie asked.
“Well the start of Maredi Gras of course! Also, keep this a secret, but I have been selected to be the King of Maredi Gras. Took me completely by surprise. For the third year in a row. HA!”
“Congrats but isn’t the identity of the Maredi Gras Monarch one of the worse kept secrets in Neigh Orleans?”
“True but it still it’s not official until I receive the crown.”
“Well in this case, all hail the not yet official King of Maredi Gras.”
Big Daddy laughed.
“You’re too kind. Though as much as I would love to stay and chat I should probably continue making the rounds.”
Trixie watched as the large stallion walked. She took a few more sips of her drink before turning to the bartender.
“So do you think he just paid for the one drink or am I allowed a refill?”
Several hours had passed and everyone was still having a great time. Trixie had explored the event, watching everything unfold. She finally caught up with Raindrops, who had made her third or fourth return visit to the buffet table.
“You know, those Beignets taste better if you stop to chew them.”
“Says the mare that can inhale bourbon,” Raindrops replied. “So this whole King of Maredi Gras thing I hear ponies talking about. Is it a big deal?”
“One of the biggest honours in Neigh Orleans,” Trixie replied. “You ride on the key float in the Maredi Gras parade.”
“Surprised you weren’t offered it then,” Raindrops commented. “A Neigh Orlean’s born personal pupil to the princess who also managed to save all of Equestria seems like a perfect pick.”
“Doesn’t quite work like that,” Trixie replied. “They go for pillars of the community, not heroes, and they tend to avoid giving to people who work in government. They don’t want to make it political.”
“That’s fair.”
Trixie saw Big Daddy leaving the house. Gone was the jovial nature and instead he looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He proceeded to plaster a big smile on his face as he stepped onto the stage.
“Ladies and Gentle-colts, I would like to thank you all for coming tonight. Now I know that we all have a busy week of partying ahead of us so we best all get our rest.”
There was a brief moment of applause followed by the guests exiting the premise. Trixie looked on suspiciously. That caught Raindrops’ attention.
“I know that look,” She said. “Something up?”
“Possibly,” Trixie answered.
Carrot Top walked up to them.
“Hey, did either of you see Crystal? I wanted to personally thank her for inviting us tonight.”
Pieces started to fall into place in Trixie’s mind.
“I haven’t seen her all night,” Trixie said thoughtfully. “Let's go find out why.”
At their insistence, Trixie and the Gang were led to a study. Big Daddy came in to greet them.
“I thank you all for coming but I must be getting to bed, so if we could keep this brief.”
“I’ll get straight to the point,” Trixie answered. “Where’s Crystal? Carrot Top wanted to thank her for inviting us.”
Big Daddy’s smile faltered briefly.
“Unfortunately, Crystal isn’t feeling too well so she went to bed early. Still, she is so grateful you all could come.”
Raindrops eyed Big Daddy for a moment before turning to Trixie.
“I think you were right,” she said to the blue unicorn.
“Excuse me?” Big Daddy asked, clearly confused about what was going on.
“Raindrops here is pretty good at telling when somepony is lying,” Trixie explained. “And before you got on stage to kick everypony out, you had a look on your face that I’ve seen before.”
“Oh? Where was that?” Big Daddy asked, attempting to act nonchalant.
“On the face of my dear friend when her daughter was foalnapped.” Trixie watched as the colour drained from Big Daddy’s face. “So I’ll ask again, where is Crystal?”
Big Daddy dropped all composure and pleaded with them. “Please, they said if we went to the guard they’d hurt her.”
“We’re not the guard but we are here to help,” Carrot Top said in a reassuring tone. “Tell us what’s happened and we’ll see what we can do.”
Big Daddy looked uncertain but eventually relented. He led them to what appeared to be Crystal’s room. At first there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary until their attention was drawn to glowing green lettering on the wall.
WE HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER.
IF YOU WANT HER RETURNED, REJECT THE CROWN AT THE CROWNING CEREMONY BUT DON’T SAY WHY.
DO NOT GO TO THE GUARD OR YOU’LL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN.
At that moment, Makaya walked in. She was at first surprised to see the Elements of Harmony.
“Anything?” Big Daddy asked
Makaya shook her head after composing herself. “Simbi and I checked the whole property. No clue as to who they are, how they got in or where they took her.”
“Where’s Simbi?”
“She’s in the kitchen trying to do a tracking spell. Come on.”
Everyone followed Makaya to the kitchen. As they entered their nostrils were assaulted with an odd and not all too pleasant smell. Simbi was standing over a pot of strange bubbling goop. To the side was a mane brush and a few feathers that looked like they had come from Crystal.
She took a feather and a hair from the brush. She dropped both into the goop. There was a brief fizzle, a pop and then nothing.
Simbi exhaled in the way a pony does when they are trying to maintain their composure but really want to put their hoof through a wall.
“Those bastards are masking her presence,” Simbi finally said. “That means that they either wield decent Voodoo or they have someone who does on the payroll.”
“Does that help narrow the field?” Carrot Top asked.
“Not enough to be useful, there are as many places in this city warded against voodoo scrying as there are in Canterlot warded against unicorn spy spells” Simbi answered. She then seemed to realise the extra ponies were present. “Sorry, but what are you all doing here?”
“We’re here to help get your sister back,” Trixie explained.
“Okay, not sound ungrateful but what makes you qualified to help get Crystal back?”
Trixie answered bluntly. “Most of us have saved all of Equestria more than once, Zelime will vouch for me personally and right now we’re the only help you’ve got.”
Simbi paused to process this. “Yeah, that checks out.”
“Could we take a step back and just clarify something about the ransom demand?” Lyra asked. “To somepony who has very little understanding of the local culture, just how bad would turning down the crown at the last minute be?”
Trixie paused for a moment to think of the right analogy. “Imagine if you were the guest of honor at an Apple family reunion. Granny Smith personally offers you a freshly baked apple pie that she made with her own hooves. You then throw the pie to the ground, stomp on it, spit in Granny Smith’s face and yell ‘Apples Suck’. This would be worse than that.”
The look of abject horror on the face of every pony from Ponyville told Trixie she had gotten the point across.
“But what if once Crystal was returned you told the community that your daughter was held ransom?” Raindrops asked
“My name would still be mud. Honesty and propriety are very important virtues around here, zebronies in particular aren’t exactly the most forgiving when it comes to those who don’t keep their word.” Big Daddy explained “Even those that will believe me may still blame me for getting myself into such a situation and not thinking of a way to get out of it.”
Raindrops looked on in dismay. “They can’t honestly hold Kings of Maredi Gras to such high standards.”
Simbi and Makaya both shrug.
“Most in Neigh Orleans still talk of the year a stallion named Sunbeam Meadow was named King.” Simibi explained. “He died the night before he was meant to accept the crown. In order to maintain his honour, his widow allowed his corpse to be dressed up, crowned and paraded like a giant puppet.”
Raindrops eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Is that a true story?”
“How is that relevant to this conversation?” Simbi asked in reply. “The point is if Big Daddy does this it will have serious consequences on his standing with the whole city, in particular with his wealthy peers and the zebrony community.”
“But if it will get Crystal back I would do it a thousand times over,” Big Daddy declared stoically.
“Don’t be so quick to pariah yourself,” Trixie cautioned. “Especially since we don’t know if they will hold up their end of the deal."
Raindrops gave Trixie a nudge and a meaningful look.
"I mean I'm sure they will but let's leave that as a last resort," Trixie quickly amended.
“Alright then, lets go,” Simbi commanded.
“Not yet, before we do anything I think what's really important is that you three take ten.”
“Take ten?” Big Daddy asked.
“Yes, there’s no delicate way to say this so I’m just going to be blunt. You’re all hiding it well but it's clear that you all are in various stages of panic mode.”
“We’re fine,” Simbi said with grit teeth.
“Somepony you love has been foalnapped. None of you are fine and there would be something odd about you if you were. In an ideal world I would leave you to process those emotions in a healthy and productive manner but we haven’t got the time. With that said we also don’t have time for rash action or snap decisions. Right now your instincts are either telling you to panic or burn down every building in town until you find Crystal. Neither of those is going to help Crystal so I suggest you take ten and then we can try to think of something with a clear head.”
Simbi and Trixie had a stare off as the two had a silent battle of wills. It was broken when Makaya and Big Daddy started to leave. Seeing she was clearly outvoted, the young zebrony left as well.
Carrot Top approached Trixie.
“You’re handling all this really well.”
“Honestly I’m just saying and doing all the things I wish I had when Dinky was foalnapped.” She then gestured for everyone to come in close. "Alright, here's the plan," Trixie directed. "Raindrops, take to the skies and check the parameter. It's dark but the different angle could show how they got in. Lyra and Bon Bon, talk to everypony still here so you can get a list of suspects. Carrot Top and I will search the premise for clues, there's probably nothing but we're a fresh set of eyes.” She then noticed Bon Bon had her hoof raised like a foal in a classroom. “Yes Bon Bon?”
“So we’re just going to go along with this?” Bon Bon asked. “Shouldn’t we at least discuss whether we’re all on board for this?”
Trixie raised an eyebrow but gave a shrug. “That’s a fair point,” she conceded before addressing everyone. “Alright ladies, all in favour of doing nothing and letting a decent stallion ruin his reputation on the dubious promise that his daughter will be returned unharmed if he does, raise their hoof.”
Predictably, no hooves were raised.
“In that case we meet back here in one hour to compare notes.”
Though when Bon Bon was sure she was out of earshot she muttered, “Well sure when you say it like that.”
The gang split up to carry out their duties, leaving just Trixie and Carrot Top.
“I don’t know how much use I would be in finding clues,” The carrot farmer said.
“Are you really going to let your biggest fan down?”
“Oh that’s low.”
“Ahem.”
The two mares turned to see Simbi standing there.
“Might I have a word, Trixie?” She asked.
Taking the hint, Carrot Top left to start searching for clues.
Once Trixie and Simbi were alone, the Voodoo apprentice spoke her mind.
“Look, you may have a point about me taking five to clear my head but I’m not going to let you sideline me while you go off to find my sister.”
“I told you to take 10,” Trixie corrected. “And I have no intention of sidelining you. If we’re going to find Crystal we’ll need far more local insight than what I can provide. I haven’t lived here since I was a foal. So here's the deal, we work together, we’ll trust your judgement so long as you trust ours.”
“Huh,” Simbi said thoughtfully. “From some of the stories I heard I was afraid you’d be too egotistical to accept outside help.”
“As I keep telling everypony, a healthy ego is good to have,” Trixie replied. “It’s stupid ego that will get you killed.”
“And how exactly do you know when it’s healthy ego or stupid ego?”
Trixie shrugged. “Trial and error mostly. Lots and lots of trial and error.”
Author's Note
Hello everyone, it's good to be back. I'm so sorry for dropping off the radar. There are a bunch of reasons but I think the last year has universally been trying for everyone (or at least everyone that I have talked to). Still, I'm back and ready to get the ball rolling. Hope you enjoy this and I promise the next chapter will be out much sooner
